Treatment Room Nurses

We have a team of fully trained nurses employed directly by the practice to staff our busy treatment room. Our nurses deal with, for example, baby and routine immunisations, dressings, removal of stitches, ear syringing, smears and ECGs requested by your doctor.

If you are not certain whether the service you require can be performed by our nurses, please check with reception staff.

The service operates an appointment system and appointments can be booked through the reception desk or by phoning. Please be prepared to give the staff details of the reason for your attendance as the time taken for different tasks varies. Without such information we cannot operate an efficient system, one which keeps waiting times to a minimum.

On some afternoons the treatment room is not available as specific clinics are being held. It is wise to consult reception for details of the day's activities.

Our nurses cannot be expected to diagnose or initiate treatment. However, they are ready and willing to help in a medical crisis.

Test Results

We would ask you to take responsibility for obtaining your own blood, x-ray and test results.

As the morning hours are busy with appointment requests we would remind you to phone between 3:00pm and 6:00pm.

Blood Tests

Patients requiring blood tests should make appointments with our phlebotomist.The service is available every morning from 8.30am; bookings can be made at reception or by telephone. Unfortunately, we are not able to take blood tests in the afternoon as the specimens cannot be kept overnight without results possibly becoming inaccurate.

Blood test results usually take an average of five working days to return, some longer. If in doubt please ask. As results come back to the surgery in the early afternoon, please ring between 3:00pm and 6:00pm. That gives the doctors an opportunity to comment on them.

Special Services & Clinics

We are committed to preventative care for the whole family, at home or abroad, at school and at work.

Hepatitis B

Splenectomy

A special vaccine is recommended for all those patients who have had the spleen removed - please discuss this with your doctor.

Influenza

Adults and children belonging to the following groups are medically recommended to benefit from annual immunisation against influenza:

Chronic lung disease, including asthma

Chronic heart disease

Chronic renal failure

Diabetes

Patients over 65 years of age

Immuno-suppression due to disease or treatment

Residents of nursing, rest and other residential homes should also be immunised.

Travel Clinic

For all travel advice, please visit the special travel centres or clinics.

We only offer NHS Vaccines (that are recommended by the Specialist Travel clinic) that you require for your travel. Only some travel immunisations are available under the NHS. For your travel advice and other special immunisations please visit a clinic near to you. Please ask at the reception for details.

Please ensure you are covered with all required immunisations before you make your travel arrangements and familiarise yourself with the charges before attending the travel clinics.

Family Planning/Contraception

All the doctors provide advice on all means of contraception. This, like all services provided by the practice, is completely confidential.

Maternity Care

The local midwives are based here at Birchwood and undertake antenatal and postnatal care in liaison with the District Hospital. The first person you need to see is the midwife at ideally between 8-11 weeks to give you the opportunity to discuss your screening choices and care options. First and subsequent appointments can be booked directly with the Birchwood reception staff.

Child Surveillance

We have a weekly clinic run by our doctors and practice nurses. This enables all new mothers to be checked by the doctor at 8 weeks following birth, and the new baby to have their first immunisation by the practice nurse.

Minor Surgery

The doctors undertake minor surgical procedures on the premises by arrangement with the patient.

Cervical Smears

Our cervical smears are done by with our treatment room sisters. We strongly recommend that all women between 25 and 65 have a smear test regularly every three years. A "call" and "recall" computerised invitation letter will be sent to you; please do not ignore the letter. Even if you feel a smear is unnecessary we would prefer that you discuss this with us. You may be asked to sign a declaration if you wish to be excluded from the smear recall listings.

Phleobotomy

Breast Screening

The Jarvis Screening Service will contact all ladies aged between 50 and 65 for regular three-yearly mammography. We strongly recommend that you attend for this procedure. If you have any questions on this topic, please see your own doctor.

Asthma Clinic

We have an excellent nurse led Asthma and COPD clinic. Our Nurse is highly qualified to give advice about the respiratory problems.

INR Clinic

For our Warfarin patients we now have a 'one stop' clinic which enables all Warfarin patients to have a finger prick blood test and the result simultaneously. All our patients find this provides them with a convenient and fast service.

Diabetic Clinic

We run a diabetic clinic which is operated by our treatment room nurses. We also offer advice to the newly diagnosed diabetic, giving you time and explanations so that you can manage the condition successfully and try to achieve optimum control. We require all our diabetic patients to have at least an annual review, where we measure your height, weight, blood pressure, feet and advise you appropriately regarding your disease. This we know reduces the complications of the condition. The service is run in conjunction with the East Surrey Hospital diabetic clinic. Please discuss the matter further with your GP.

Smoking Cessation

We support patients who wish to give up smoking, please ask at reception if you would like an appointment.

Cryotherapy

We can also offer a cryotherapy clinic to out patients for the removal of skin tags, warts etc. Please discuss this with your GP.

Fees

Certain services provided by your doctor are not covered by the NHS and you must expect to pay a fee at the current BMA rate on display in the foyer.

NHS Ultrasound Services at Birchwood Medical Practice

This service is provided by Diagnostic Ultrasound Services and the Director is Sally Hill

This centre offers a choice of ultrasound scans on the NHS under the AQP (any qualified provider) initiative.

You must be referred by your GP.

Most scans are performed within two weeks of being referred.

These include:

• Gynaecology

• General abdominal (liver, kidneys, pancreas, spleen and aorta)

• Prostate

• Musculo-skeletal

• Vascular

• Small Parts – which include testes, thyroid, lumps & bumps and hernias.

A report is sent immediately to your GP and you will need to make an appointment with your GP to discuss the results.

Other Services Located in or close to Horley Health Centre

District Nurses

01293 772684

Community Midwives

01737 768511 Ext: 6179

Family Planning Clinic

Wednesday evenings - by appointment, please phone 01293 787376

Young Persons Drop-in Clinic

Monday 4.30 - 6.30pm

For out-of-hours district nurse services please phone 01293 772684.

Chaperone Policy

This organization is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any examination or procedure where they feel one is required. This chaperone will be a trained member of staff.

Wherever possible we would ask you to make this request at the time of booking an appointment so that arrangements can be made and your appointment is not delayed in any way. Where this is not possible we will try to provide a chaperone at the time of your request. However, occasionally, it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment.

Your healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our chaperone policy.

If you would like to see a copy of our chaperone policy or have any questions or comments regarding this please contact the manager.